Psychiatric Technician

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

This position provides a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assists with basic patient care. The Psychiatric Technician works as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, contributes observations and information to patient care planning, and supports patients and their families throughout care. The role may also include precepting new Psychiatric Technicians, contributing to training and quality assurance, and helping maintain unit forms and supplies.

Requirements

At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; experience may include CNA, MA, HCA, teacher’s aide, or assistant roles.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system; it must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize adverse medication reactions and promptly report them to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess potential risk of harm to the patient or others, report it to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patients’ trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to apply group dynamics principles when co-leading groups to support members’ social, behavioral, and communication skills.
Knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served on the assigned unit.
Knowledge of life-span growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status data and provide care according to departmental policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, with or without accommodation, including intensive work that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or moving equipment or patients.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities: carrying, climbing, lifting, listening, pulling and/or pushing, reaching, sitting, speaking, standing, stooping and crouching, and walking.

Responsibilities

Observe and document patient behavior; help maintain a safe, hazard-free environment by conducting patient room searches, reporting unsafe conditions, and providing appropriate emotional and physical support.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and personal effects for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other relevant information.
Orient patients and their families to the facility, policies, and procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities, using therapeutic interventions to promote the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Encourage participation in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups for select patients as part of supportive therapy.
Assist in developing patient behavioral expectations.
May precept new Psychiatric Technicians.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs, and order, stock, and maintain clerical and patient supplies.
Provide an annual educational in-service to coworkers.
Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and may coordinate with leadership to maintain department forms.
Assist with initiating and contributing to patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning.
Participate in patient care team conferences by sharing observations about patient progress toward goals and assisting the primary Registered Nurse with developing, evaluating, and revising patient care plans.
Recognize possible adverse medication reactions and promptly report them to the Registered Nurse.
Assess potential risk of harm to the patient or others, report relevant information to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion when needed.